Morrissey’s vocal melodies

[brody]

If we talk about falsetto, then “Miserable Lie” immediately comes to mind, where in the middle of the song Morrissey’s rich, resonant vocals suddenly switch to a weightless falsetto (or even 'double') – I liked this technique so much; This song is still one of my favorites for many years.
By the way, singing this falsetto part of the song, just like the previously mentioned “I Have Forgiven Jesus,” is a very difficult task, but if desired, and with proper preparation, it is quite feasible.

It’s kind of interesting how his falsetto evolved over the years. Those early smiths songs, from 82 to 83 maybe, were super heavy on the falsetto; since then it’s become a lot more reserved

 

[Vesper Nocturne]

I could have run loudly and proudly
Or forcible entry
Morally bankrupt
And never non-violent
And drawn to what scares me
And scared of what bores me
Years alone will never be returned

 

[goinghome]

It’s kind of interesting how his falsetto evolved over the years. Those early smiths songs, from 82 to 83 maybe, were super heavy on the falsetto; since then it’s become a lot more reserved

Another good example just surfacing in the Songs thread -

 

[Ashley_TakeABow]

Another good example just surfacing in the Songs thread -

The "All men have secrets and here is mine, so let it be known" choreography is so cute, pulling out his heart and showing the crowd. I love his dancing. I can't believe I've never watched this TOTP.

 

[Redacted]

I think I shared this here before, but when my husband talked to Johnny about the Smiths songwriting process, Johnny told him that Morrissey wrote a lot of the melodies with his voice, he would sing it, then Johnny would play it.

 

[Redacted]

Does anyone think My Love Life should have been a duet with Chrissie Hynde, instead of her just singing backing vocals? That song sounds perfect for her voice.

 

[Ryan]

Well sweetie I don’t know what gave you the idea that you have to pretend it’s not! Because it’s magnificent and gorgeous. And he’s magnificent and gorgeous. And nobody else could have ever made this but him.

I still hope there’ll be more to come in a similar vein in the future, because the richness and the grandiosity of this album match his abilities and his talent and his persona superbly, and this album is a sublime reflection of his depth and skill.

There are so many songs and albums that are absolute standouts, including also more recent ones, but this album has a very unique sound and feel, and even some themes felt like they were being presented in completely new and different ways.

To me, stylistically, ROTT is where he needed to go, and it’s also where his art needed to go. At least once. So at least we have that. But I think this was such a powerful direction for him, that there remains a lot more that can be revisited, and also re-explored. For him I mean, not the listener. This album to me is like, the tip of the iceberg, and in my mind, there is still all the iceberg that we can’t see under the water; with the tip being the uniquely redolent style of the album, and then all of the rest of the iceberg that is hidden below the surface of the water is how much further he could still go, if he ever felt so inclined, to continue to develop what he already started with ROTT. In fact, maybe that’s the best way of putting what I’d actually like to say. Ringleader of the Tormentors should be the start, and only the first chapter, of something still to come (even now).

Even though the album and the songs on it are his creation, this album and these songs in particular, really elevate him in a way that makes it seem like ROTT the album is what’s shining the spotlight on him (as a singer). And in a sense, it is exactly so.

All of ROTT is so emotively and suggestively stunning, and it was something he created that suited him so beautifully, that I hope that insofar as mood, opulence, and thematic drama go; that he may perhaps find himself similarly inspired again one day in the future.

IMO I didn’t appreciate ROTT at the time of its release - aka when it leaked online - but I did and have kept I’ll Never Be Anybody’s Hero Now in my top ten tracks. “I am a ghost and as far as I know I haven’t even died” randomly pops into my head on a monthly basis.

As far as vocal melodies go, though, I find The Father Who Must Be Killed and On The Streets I Ran to be rather… awkward sounding? They could easily be replaced with Christian Dior (always in my top five solo songs) along with the Farrell version of Sweetie-Pie.

 

[Ryan]

Does anyone think My Love Life should have been a duet with Chrissie Hynde, instead of her just singing backing vocals? That song sounds perfect for her voice.

It should be done live these days. He’s teased it a capella.

 

[Redacted]

It should be done live these days. He’s teased it a capella.

There are a lot of songs he should be doing live that he doesnt

 

[Ryan]

There are a lot of songs he should be doing live that he doesnt

You mean to tell me that other set lists exist that don’t include Stop Me, Our Frank, Telephone Rings, The Loop, Jack The Ripper, Alma Matters (Jesse doesn’t) and I Wish This Song Would End? What paradoxical universe are you living in, Mrs Boston?

 

[Redacted]

You mean to tell me that other set lists exist that don’t include Stop Me, Our Frank, Telephone Rings, The Loop, Jack The Ripper, Alma Matters (Jesse doesn’t) and I Wish This Song Would End? What paradoxical universe are you living in, Mrs Boston?

Yes, he only does the alternate list in Boston. For me.

 

[Ryan]

Yes, he only does the alternate list in Boston. For me.

You bastard!

Is it weird that I keep having recurring dreams where I’m chasing Morrissey around, or he’s chasing me around, and it’s a bittersweet yelling match that 90% of the time ends up with he and I just having a normal mundane conversation? Well, not recurring, but I’ve had that same dream along those lines at least five or so times.

 

[Redacted]

You bastard!

Is it weird that I keep having recurring dreams where I’m chasing Morrissey around, or he’s chasing me around, and it’s a bittersweet yelling match that 90% of the time ends up with he and I just having a normal mundane conversation? Well, not recurring, but I’ve had that same dream along those lines at least five or so times.

Yes, be jealous, and I have that dream all the time, but when I catch him, he serenades me and whips me with his microphone cord

 

[goinghome]

from a strange little note from a couple of years ago on Morrissey's voice type:

Morrissey is deeply influenced by feminism, and took on the voice of the “Northern Woman”. Mark Simpson defined this best in his book “Saint Morrissey”. It’s an combination of the female head of house who knows all the secrets of the family and the 50s family drama boilerplate films of the era. His voice is a high baritone or low tenor.

Morrissey is deeply influenced by feminism, and took on the voice of the “Northern Woman”. Mark Simpson defined this best in his book “S Morrissey stated in his Autobiography (available from Penguin Classics) that he spent almost his entire teen years in his room singing. So, when someone tells you that he doesn’t want to be a great singer..

What type of voice does Morrissey have?

yourquickinformation.com

 

[The Alchemist]

Another good example just surfacing in the Songs thread -

When I hear this song, I visualise an altercation between Morrissey and his father (and I wonder if there could be any truth in it, as he left the family home in 1976 when Morrissey was 17)

I don't think they spoke all that much over the years that followed, and Morrissey has refused to talk about his father in interviews for some reason.

All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
(I speculate that his father had discovered Morrissey had an interest in the male form)

For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you
(You're my dad, after all)

And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
(Recoil in shame, shock, horror)
(I wonder what the verbal reaction was)

So, what difference does it make?
(if I like men or women, or neither, or both)

It makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

No more apologies
(from his father for his prejudice, or from Morrissey for simply being who he is)

Interested in any thoughts from others.

 

[Ashley_TakeABow]

When I hear this song, I visualise an altercation between Morrissey and his father (and I wonder if there could be any truth in it, as he left the family home in 1976 when Morrissey was 17)

I don't think they spoke all that much over the years that followed, and Morrissey has refused to talk about his father in interviews for some reason.

All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
(I speculate that his father had discovered Morrissey had an interest in the male form)

For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you
(You're my dad, after all)

And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
(Recoil in shame, shock, horror)
(I wonder what the verbal reaction was)

So, what difference does it make?
(if I like men or women, or neither, or both)

It makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

No more apologies
(from his father for his prejudice, or from Morrissey for simply being who he is)

Interested in any thoughts from others.

Not much else to at about this other than.. yes, I agree! Makes sense.

 

[Redacted]

Not much else to at about this other than.. yes, I agree! Makes sense.

A lot of artists like to remind us that a lot of their songs are not autobiographical. Just something to think about. I don't think there is any evidence Morrissey's father had any issue with Morrissey's sexuality, and Morrissey seems pretty adamant that he is not homosexual.

Comments made by Moz s' father about his son's carreer?

Imagine your new boyfriend taking you back to meet the family --- and it's only the fooking Morrisseys?!! :eek: ;)

www.morrissey-solo.com

 

[Gregor Samsa]

When I hear this song, I visualise an altercation between Morrissey and his father (and I wonder if there could be any truth in it, as he left the family home in 1976 when Morrissey was 17)

I don't think they spoke all that much over the years that followed, and Morrissey has refused to talk about his father in interviews for some reason.

All men have secrets and here is mine
So let it be known
(I speculate that his father had discovered Morrissey had an interest in the male form)

For we have been through hell and high tide
I think I can rely on you
(You're my dad, after all)

And yet you start to recoil
Heavy words are so lightly thrown
(Recoil in shame, shock, horror)
(I wonder what the verbal reaction was)

So, what difference does it make?
(if I like men or women, or neither, or both)

It makes none
But now you have gone
And your prejudice won't keep you warm tonight

No more apologies
(from his father for his prejudice, or from Morrissey for simply being who he is)

Interested in any thoughts from others.

Thank you! Very strong analysis. Do you want to take a stab at the part about the devil and the idle hands?

 

[Gregor Samsa]

A lot of artists like to remind us that a lot of their songs are not autobiographical. Just something to think about. I don't think there is any evidence Morrissey's father had any issue with Morrissey's sexuality, and Morrissey seems pretty adamant that he is not homosexual.

Comments made by Moz s' father about his son's carreer?

Imagine your new boyfriend taking you back to meet the family --- and it's only the fooking Morrisseys?!! :eek: ;)

www.morrissey-solo.com

Yet, a very interesting analysis. And you wouldn’t be surprised if a 1970’s working class Northern man born in the 1930’s had some issues with his son being queer (huma, bi), aloof and/or odd.

 

[The Alchemist]

A lot of artists like to remind us that a lot of their songs are not autobiographical. Just something to think about. I don't think there is any evidence Morrissey's father had any issue with Morrissey's sexuality, and Morrissey seems pretty adamant that he is not homosexual.

Comments made by Moz s' father about his son's carreer?

Imagine your new boyfriend taking you back to meet the family --- and it's only the fooking Morrisseys?!! :eek: ;)

www.morrissey-solo.com

You're right, there is no evidence.

I didn't say there was any evidence.

There was no mention of homosexuality in my post. Whether his father would have interpreted it as that though, is another issue.

It's just speculation, and what I think the song is about. But as you say, it may not be about him at all.

As Gregor has said, there were likely tensions between father and son, even before any revelations such as the ones I'm postulating.

Morrissey himself recalls in a rare interview about his dad driving him to a T Rex concert in 1972:

Belle Vue was in a quite tough area of Manchester and my father dropped me off outside wearing a purple satin jacket. I think he thought I'd be killed and he waved me off like it was the last time he'd ever see me alive. It must've been like losing your child to a deadly cult-and maybe that's exactly how it was.